Holiday Fake Date by Gwyn McNamee & Christy Anderson

Author:Gwyn McNamee & Christy Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D.P. Payne

Chapter 12

ISAIAH

“They’re so cute!” Athena snaps a photo and quickly sends off a text, undoubtedly to her friend, as proof we’ve made it safely to our next stop in Columbus.

I follow Athena’s gaze to make sure I’m looking at the same thing she is. Tilting my head doesn’t do anything to change what I’m seeing. “I’m not sure that’s the word I would use to describe them. Maybe massive or majestic?”

Athena scrunches up her brow and considers my suggestions while she examines the elephants in the paddock at the Columbus Zoo. “I guess majestic works, too.” She offers an almost forlorn sigh and leans against the railing. “I just love the way the mother closely watches and cares for her baby.”

Her eyes mist over slightly, and she shifts her stance as if uncomfortable with her own observation and shivers in the chilling fall air. Given everything she’s told me during our trip, it’s pretty clear she’s thinking about her relationship with her own mother.

I nudge her with my shoulder. “You know, not all mothers have the same kind of relationship with their children. Some are close. Some aren’t. Doesn’t mean there isn’t love there.”

I’ve experienced it myself with Dad, but I’ve never once doubted that everything he does is out of his love for me and the twins. Mom was the one who comforted us and played the caregiver role because he was always busting his ass at the office to ensure the company was productive, but we never questioned that he loved us. He just showed us in different ways that sometimes took us a while to recognize.

Athena scowls and crosses her arms over her chest. “Some try to control you and dictate your life.”

I chuckle, knowing that common scenario all too well, even if Mom and Dad really tried not to with us. “Some do. But I have a hard time believing you let anyone tell you what to do.”

She peeks at me out of the corner of her eye, humor twinkling in the blue, and smirks. “Wherever did you get that idea?”

The playfulness has returned to her mood, and I lean down and brush my lips against her ear, letting her crisp, citrusy scent invade every inhale I take.

“Maybe it was watching you inhale a seventy-two-ounce steak just because I didn’t think you could do it.”

She turns her head toward me, almost brushing her lips against mine. A steely resolve settles in her blue eyes. “Yeah, and I beat your ass.”

“And paid for it later.”

Something I wish hadn’t needed to happen, but at least she seems like she’s able to joke about it, which is good.

Athena turns away and goes back to watching elephants, and her reminding me of our little bet pushes our impending meeting with the Warren clan to the forefront of my mind.

I need to get the lay of the land and know what I’m walking into, beyond what she’s already told me about the tensions in the household. “There anything I should know

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.